subject: The Real Cost of Starting an Online Business [print this page] The Real Cost of Starting an Online Business
Let me start by saying there are no get-rich-quick schemes. Starting an internet business is no different than starting any other business. You will have to work to build the trust and confidence of your customers without the face-to-face exchange. You will need to promote your company as being honest, having fair prices, quality products, and superior customer service. You need to be able market your Web site and show how it is different from your competitors'.
Starting an online business on the Internet requires significantly less money than a traditional business. The best you can do if you are frugal is a few hundred dollars. Some of the start-up items are a computer or access to one, a web site, domain name, a product, time, customers, well you get the idea! There are definitely some costs to starting an online business. Some businesses just want a presence on the Internet instead of an online business, sort of like an electronic billboard. They can use their Web site to promote the business or services they offer.
The limitless potential of the Internet can reach millions of people around the world. The Internet has the ability to promote your products and services globally. Your audience is the world. If a picture is worth a thousand words and you have a well designed Web site with graphics and text you can promote your products and services. You can literally touch every computer out there.
It is important that the appearance of your Web site be clean, professional looking, and has easy to read text. You can design your Web site yourself or hire a professional design firm. All though it is possible to achieve good results by doing it yourself, I would recommend hiring a graphics firm. They often will have Web site hosting and free domain registration. Remember there are no free rides. It takes time, money, and energy to build any business.
